Belgium gives ill children of any age the right to die
Belgium has become the first country to allow euthanasia for terminally ill children of all ages, after a heated debate in which critics questioned a child's ability to make the decision to die.
Tens of thousands march in Paris to back traditional family
Tens of thousands of people marched in Paris and Lyon on Sunday against new laws easing abortion restrictions and legalising gay marriage, accusing French President Francois Hollande's government of "family phobia".
Amnesty Brazil blasts Russian "homophobia"
Brazil's branch of Amnesty International on Sunday held a rally in Rio to protest what it termed Russia's "homophobia".
Pro-abortion rally in Madrid over planned curbs
Pro-choice supporters were set to converge on Madrid's streets Saturday to voice their opposition to a government plan to restrict access to abortion.
Venezuela activists petition for same-sex marriage
Some 300 gay rights activists gathered -- holding hands, kissing and waving rainbow flags -- in front of Venezuela's parliament Friday to present a petition for same-sex marriage.
Kazakhstan has no need for death penalty: criminal law expert
I believe that life-long sentence is a severe enough punishment and the restrictions it imposes on a person are tough enough to view it as a real alternative to death penalty: Kazakhstan professor of criminal law.
Bitcoin dealers charged in US with money laundering
US authorities Monday filed criminal charges against two operators of a Bitcoin exchange, including the head of a company with high-profile investment backers.
US nuns can opt out of contraception clause
The US Supreme Court said Friday that religiously-affiliated groups could opt out of a provision in the new health care law that requires employers to provide insurance that includes contraception.
Nigeria to hold presidential vote on February 14, 2015
Nigeria is to hold its next presidential election on February 14, 2015, the electoral agency said Friday, with incumbent head of state Goodluck Jonathan expected to seek a second term.
When traditions violate human rights: bride kidnapping in Kazakhstan
Members of the Lower Chamber of the Kazakhstan Parliament are considering toughening of the punishment for bride kidnapping in Kazakhstan.
France's embattled Hollande to meet pope, woo angry Catholics
Abortion and euthanasia will be among hot button issues on the table when Pope Francis meets embattled French President Francois Hollande.
Brain-dead Texas woman's fetus 'abnormal,' lawyers say
The fetus being carried by a pregnant American woman already declared brain dead is "distinctly abnormal".
Australia asylum policy 'draconian': rights group
Australia has damaged its human rights record by persistently undercutting refugee protections, including a "draconian" policy to send asylum-seekers to Pacific island camps.
Same-sex couples sue Florida for right to wed
Six same-sex couples filed suit against the US state of Florida Tuesday for refusing to let them marry.
Australia to go ahead with shark 'kill' zones
A controversial policy to catch and kill sharks off popular west coast beaches got the green light in Australia, in a move the Humane Society Tuesday termed a "complete disgrace".
Smoking pot no more dangerous than drinking: Obama
President Barack Obama says smoking pot is no more dangerous than drinking but calls it a "bad idea," amid a push for legalization in several states.
Foreign charter flights ban causes annual loss of $4.5 million to Almaty airport
The Airport of Almaty is loosing $4.5 million annually because of the ban on foreign charter flights from Kazakhstan.
Uganda president blocks anti-gay bill: report
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has refused to approve a controversial bill that would see homosexuals jailed for life, saying there were better ways to cure the "abnormality", a report said Friday.
Japan PM to attend Sochi Olympics: reports
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is planning to attend the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics, reports said Friday, despite calls for a boycott over Russia's anti-gay laws.
Same-sex ban 'legalises' homophobic violence: gay Nigerians
Gay activists on Tuesday vowed to fight the Nigerian government after the country outlawed same-sex unions, warning the act legitimised homophobic violence and increased fears of persecution.